Every day, I receive many e-mails asking the same question – “Is it safe to go to Cotabato City?” Well, in my opinion many parts of Cotabato may indeed be unsafe for foreign tourists. Cotabato City should not be considered safe unless you are a seasoned traveler. Don’t take me wrong, Cotabato is not like the wild west where guns are slinging in every direction you look. Instead, you should keep on your mind that there may be kidnappers, or terrorists. Many of these kind of people may treat you in a very friendly way in order to gain your confidence before making you prey to their crimes. Will this sort of thing happen anytime you visit Cotabato? No, of course not. But, things like this happen often enough that you should just be aware, and be cautious.
I have visited Cotabato City myself, and I felt safe there. However, I tend to travel to a lot of areas that I would not recommend to people who are not familiar with the area, or are not well seasoned in their travel. The chances are that you would be safe if you visit Cotabato City, but there is enough of a chance of trouble, that I cannot recommend it, but instead urge you to use caution.
The first thing people ask is “what about the Muslims?” Yes, there is a substantial population of Muslims in the Cotabato area, but the vast majority are very peaceful. They are peaceful people just like you are. I have plenty of Muslim friends, and really you can’t tell a difference between them and anybody else. And, remember, there are plenty of bad people in any religion or ethnic group. My advice is to loosen up and enjoy the array of differences that make all of us interesting!
So, the answer to this frequently asked question is that Cotabato City is not recommended for the novice traveler. If you are a seasoned traveler who has been to places off the beaten path, you will likely find no problems in Cotabato. The most important thing is to use common sense, be aware of what is happening around you and be vigilant.
Bob-
First off, your site rocks! I cannot believe how much info is here!!Your stories of Philippines are enchanting.
Specifically about Cotabato City and the surrounding areas:
I have a female friend, who lives in Southern Cotabato. I am still kind of shakey on how the areas break down but I know where she lives (I can give you more specifics if it helps), but I’d like to know a little more.
Are we talking just about the city to stay away from, or the entire area all together? My friend as I said lives here and I’ve considered more than a few times taking an extended vaca there. Is the chief issue being American, language barriers, or just that tourists tend to be easy marks? Obviously she knows her stomping grounds and will keep me clear of stuff. Regardless, I’d like to know whatever you can tell me about this subject.
Thank you so much, please continue your website, you do the entire country (your old home and new) justice by educating the uneducated
Hi Jon – Keep in mind that Cotabato City and South Cotabato are two very different places, and not even very near each other. When you say your friend lives in “Southern Cotabato” I assume you mean South Cotabato Province. If that is the case, it should be relatively safe to go there for a visit. If you are talking about South of Cotabato City (which is not where South Cotabato is), then I would recommend that you steer clear. The area south of Cotabato City is, generally speaking, MILF country. Even within Cotabato City itself there is an element of MILF there. For somebody who is not that familiar with Mindanao, it’s not a place where I would recommend visiting. South Cotabato Province, on the other hand, is generally safe. I would say that the least safe part of the Province is General Santos City, as it has somehow become a favorite bombing target. Even still, I visit General Santos City regularly, and would not say you should not visit. I would only urge that you use caution.
Gday Bob, Great Site, lots of Helpful info.
I plan on visiting a friend in Midsayap in Jan 08. foreign affairs in Sydney,Australia has advised me Not to travel,especially by myself. I’m trying to find travel security. Thanks.
Hi Philip – In general, Mindanao is not a bad place to visit! The travel advisories that you see from the various governments around the world are often way off mark, in my opinion. That being said, Midsayap can be a hotspot where conflict does arise fairly regularly. For a quick visit, you probably wouldn’t experience any problems, but I would not recommend a long term stay in that particular area. Much better to stay in Davao or General Santos, perhaps even Kidapawan, and make a day trip or two to Midsayap.
Hi Bob!
I’m a film producer here in Dubai. We are preparing to produce a documentary about the Tiboli Tribe in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.
With some foreign crew, is it safe to do our filming there?
Hope you can enlighten me with this and i will appreciate it so much.
Hi indra – I think it should be. Keep- in mind, Lake Sebu is not Cotabato City.
there are 2 cotabato provinces: north & south cotabato which have majority visayans (a christian tribe). cotabato city on the other hand is the capital of the maguindanao province which has a majority of maguindanaons (muslim tribe). north & south cotabato are about 3-5 hours away from cotabato city.
in the during world war 2 & the 50′s, there was a mass migration by filipino-chinese towards cotabato city to avoid the japanese & to find a greener pasture. my grandpa was one of them. that’s why there is a significant population of fil-chi in that area, mostly merchants & entepreneurs. i’m actually related to the owner of the mall there. also, the main dialect is tagalog, unique in mindanao because visaya is usually the norm.
the second great migration, as i would call it which also included my family, was when ARMM was established and political power was given to former MILF rebels. some felt it was no longer a safe city (& it actually isn’t compared to before) and moved, mostly to davao. those from the other areas of maguindanao & former MILF rebels & their family moved in.
Hello another bob – I am sorry, but your information is very inaccurate. Firstly, Cotabato City is not the capital of Maguindanao Province. The capital of Maguindanao is Shariff Aguak. Cotabato City is not even part of Maguindanao… it is an independent component city located within Maguindanao.
Cotabato City is not “3 to 5 hours” away from North Cotabato and South Cotabato. Cotabato City is less than an hour from North Cotabato, and about 2 hours from South Cotabato.
Also, the MILF rebels did not get any power when the ARMM was established. The MNLF got power at that time because they just signed a peace treaty with the government. The MILF has still not signed any such agreement, they are at war with the Philippine Government.
Everywhere in the world,when people heard about Cotabato City,
Maguindano or intire of Mindanao in the Philippine are scared of its place….but I just want you to know that I grew up in that place and I never commit any kind of accident doing by MILF….yes,theres so many wars as you believe but they never killed people without doing anything wrong….the people which MILF fight for their right because all they want just to have the peace for the muslim people who lived in the central of Mindanao…
hi, plan to be in cotabato city this coming may 6 to 10 with my family 4 adults and 4 kids w/baby. could you help us where’s the best place to stay? it’s our first time there for a vacation….hopefully everything will turned peaceful!thanks
Hi bob please can you give me any information about a place called pigawayan Im thinking about buying a small farm lot in this place but being ‘ white ‘ and from uk I would stick out like a sore thumb!! any informatuion about this place would be greatly received
Hi peter – I don’t know of any place called “pigawayan” – but I think you must be talking about Pigkawayan, which is not far from Cotabato City. I have been there a number of times. That area is a bit marginal in terms of safety. If it were me, I would probably not want to own a farm in that particular region. You just don’t know, anything could happen there.
Hi bob many thanks for the very fast reply yes the place you mentioned is indeed the place i had in mind but if that is a bit risky place then perhaps you might know how safe is a place called Pangyan in Calinan Davao ,this place was going to be my second choice but like Pigcawayan I have not visited there before .My 3 main concerns are 1, safety 2. climate/weather and 3.lifestyle (is there shopping malls internet ,and satelite tv avaliable in this area? I would be very greatful for any info you can share with me .
Kind Regards
Peter
Hi Paul – I am not familiar with Pangyan, but that area is generally pretty safe. Give it a visit and check it out!
Presently i am at cotabato city ,can you please elborate about this region inviews of safety , religion,ecomony,education & livelihood.
i am from india so is it safe for me to visit nearby area alone
Hi there.
I’m an American living in the Philippines, but my only real experience has been on Luzon. I’ve fallen for a girl here who is from Tupi, South Cotabato. She would like to move there at the end of her contract here in Manila. I’m thinking about getting us a simple house there while I continue to keep a place in Manila as well. I’m a retired police officer and a pretty seasoned traveler having worked security in some pretty hot spots. But my question is, what are your thoughts on an American living in that area on a more or less permanent basis? I live a pretty quiet and private life. Do you think its a good area for that. or would I attract too much attention? Thanks in advance for your advice.
Hi Tom – Well, Tupi is in South Cotabato, very far from Cotabato City (this article is about safety in Cotabato City). Really, I would not expect any safety issues in Tupi, it is a quite little agricultural town. I used to live not far from Tupi, in GenSan. I think you will be fine.
My friend lives in Tantangan, South Cotabato.
I am planning to surprise her and visit them some time this year.
Any information on this place?
Hi Bob,
First off, kudos on being a helpful and available resource to those of us that need you!
I have a friend who lives in GenSan and I want to plan a trip to see her. I’m an african american, so I fully expect to stand out in a crowd anyway, but should I have any cause to worry about my safety? Of course i’m not going to get off the plane wearing my “I Am A Tourist” t-shirt and wave the American flag everywhere I go.. but do you think i’d be targeted for any reason?
You really should not experience any problems in GenSan, Jason, it’s a pretty calm and peaceful place these days. A decade or so ago there were some problems there (I lived there at that time), but it has really calmed down there a lot. I would not expect any problems at all.
Have a great trip!
Hey Bob!
first off, let me say that your site is really useful and easy to surf around!
keep it up!
now, I know this has been asked a lot before, but I just have the feeling and urge to ask.
how safe has GenSan been lately? I’m asking because I have my sweetheart living there (I’m not ashamed of it either haha), and I really want to visit her, meet her family and stuff, but reading about the MILF, kidnappings, bombings among other stuff, it really makes me nervous when I think about it.
Are there places I should avoid and can you give me some tips to make things more enjoyable and less “stressful”?
Hi Willi – At this point, I consider GenSan to be quite safe. There was a time when there were some real problems there, but it has been a long time since anything happened. I have 5 kids ranging from 21 down to 9 years old, and I allow them to go down to GenSan any time they wish. The older ones are free to take the bus down alone, the younger ones need to have an adult take them down, of course. We have family down there, so my kids go down regularly to stay with their cousins and such as they vacation. So, I would not be concerned if I were you.
that’s great! thanks a lot Bob!
I’m 21 myself, and I was having second thoughts for a while, but you cleared that up!
Hello po kuya bob
I plan to visit the Sarangani highlands at Sarangani dagat
maganda doon? safe also? i have been to Davao city,Dapitan and i was recently in Cagayan de oro and bukidnon for my 2nd time po and never felt any problem
is Sarangani malapit to Cotabato area?
Di ko kasabot ug Tagalog, marcus, Bisaya o Ingles lang. Walay problema sa Sarangani Highland… safe kaayo.
Sige po kuya
sorry for speaking tagalog
is it beautiful and peaceful in saragani highlands? have u been there many times?
and do they have mangosteens there?
Marcus
Bob,
After reading the majority of your posts regarding the South Cotabato and General Santos City questions, I have a rather specific area that I have been told is pristine and unscathed by the fighting and reiligious/political upheaval: Kiamba. I wanted to take a trip there for a few days to a week and was warned by a friend from Luzon that she had some friends who went to Sarangani Province and ran into some attitudes that made them turn back around and sacrifice their reservations. They didn’t even stay overnight, they just went back to Manila…is it questionable down that far? I’m a world traveler, having been through most of Central and South America during the 90′s and Western Central Europe during the 2000′s I’ve seen about everything a foreigner can run across…thanks!
Hi Emile – In Tupi you should not run into the religious type problems, but there are NPA issues there from time to time. I would not be worried about traveling there, though, just use the normal precautions that you would use no matter where in the world you go.